- Safiu Kehinde
Two years after the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Oyo state finally has a new monarch as Governor Seyi Makinde approves Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
This was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.
According to the statement, Owoade emerged as the new Alaafin as recommended by the Oyomesi after through consultations and divinations.
Meanwhile, as Yoruba indigenes across the world prepare for the leadership transition in one of its ancient city, NPO Reports presents important things you need to know about the new Alaafin Abimbola Akeem Owoade.
Born in 1978 to a prominent royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town, Prince Akeem Owoade is a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a real estate investment and financial services business in Manitoba, Canada.
He is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, a descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade, Agure Compound, Oyo town in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1992.
His father worked for the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP), helping the Oke-Ogun community boost agricultural productivity.
Taking an early interest in engineering, Owoade began his engineering studies by completing his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State (1994 to 1997) and the Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999 to 2001), Oyo State.
He completed his mandatory one-year National Youth Service with Nigeria Gas Company as a Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002.
Following the completion of his NYSC, he worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri as a teller (2003 to 2004).
Prince Akeem Owoade decided to further his education in the United Kingdom, where he attended the University of Sunderland (2008) and earned a Bachelor of Science.
He attended Northumbria University (2012), from where he earned his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Prince Akeem Owoade became certified in Project Management in June 2015.
He held a Planning Engineer position at Oil Reach Company, Glasgow, United Kingdom, for several years before moving to Canada for greater opportunities.
Prior to his emergence as the new Alaafin, Prince Akeem Owoade currently serve as the Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada, one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada.